Super NES/Famicom Controllers

The SNES, like the NES, had about a million different controllers released for it. Here are some of the best, or at least, popular, controllers. They have been split into five groups; standard, enhanced, programmable, specialty, and arcade joysticks.
 

Standard controllers	Enhanced controllers	Programmable controllers
Specialty controllers	Arcade joysticks

A standard controller is one that is a bare bones controller, and offers nothing else, like the control pads that came with the SNES.

An enhanced controller is one that offers something beyond the basic controller, such as turbo and/or auto fire and slow motion.

A programmable controller is one that allows you to program a sequence of directional and button presses into a macro you can execute with a press of a single button. Many, but not all, of these controllers also offer turbo and/or auto fire like an enhanced controller.

A specialty controller is one that has a special or unusual usage design, not necessarily one that is unusual in appearance. Again, some of these controllers also offer turbo and/or auto fire.

An arcade joystick is a custom joystick made by various companies to high arcade quality standards; real wood body, large concave buttons, metal sticks, and other signs of quality craftsmanship. These sticks are not licensed by Nintendo, available only from the manufacturer or selected distributors, and are usually very expensive.

SNES Standard Controller

Manufacturer:  Nintendo MSRP:  $19.95 US Country: US, Japan, Europe Licensed:  Yes Year: 1990-1991 This is the standard controller that comes with the SNES, and can be purchased separately. These controllers are strictly vanilla; it is a controller with all the buttons, and that's it. No turbo fire or slow motion. The first SNES sets to ship when it was released back in late 1991, have defective controllers. There are broken pieces of plastic inside, and the wire plug, which insetrs onto the circuit board, can easily come loose. I had these controllers; the plug inside came loose, and I opened the controller and plugged it back in, only to have it keep coming loose. Pretty disappointing, considering I never had any problems with my NES controllers. Nintendo reported they knew about the defect, and corrected the problem with the controller shortly after the first SNES sets shipped, so if you buy one today, there shouldn't be any problems with it. I still question the quality of the controllers; I had another break fairly easily, and not from the defects I noted. But, this controller, when it works, it works, and the cable length is better than some third party controllers. If you don't need a fancy controller, and you already have one of these, use it. Just be careful...     Info and pic ripped fro

 
 
 
 
 

Manufacturer:	Nintendo
MSRP:	$19.95 US
Country:	US, Japan, Europe
Licensed:	Yes
Year:	1990-1991

SNES Standard Controller
This is the standard controller that comes with the SNES, and can be purchased separately. These controllers are strictly vanilla; it is a controller with all the buttons, and that's it. No turbo fire or slow motion. The first SNES sets to ship when it was released back in late 1991, have defective controllers. There are broken pieces of plastic inside, and the wire plug, which insetrs onto the circuit board, can easily come loose. I had these controllers; the plug inside came loose, and I opened the controller and plugged it back in, only to have it keep coming loose. Pretty disappointing, considering I never had any problems with my NES controllers. Nintendo reported they knew about the defect, and corrected the problem with the controller shortly after the first SNES sets shipped, so if you buy one today, there shouldn't be any problems with it. I still question the quality of the controllers; I had another break fairly easily, and not from the defects I noted. But, this controller, when it works, it works, and the cable length is better than some third party controllers. If you don't need a fancy controller, and you already have one of these, use it. Just be careful...
 
 

Manufacturer:	Quickshot Patent
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

Supercon
Aside from the somewhat different shape of this controller, and the odd select and start buttons, there is not much to note. It is a standard vanilla controller.

Angler
Functionally identical to the ASCIIPad. It is shaped slightly different than the standard controller; the round sides on the left and right are less rounded. What is unique about this controller, is you can put a little "stick" into the center of the joypad.
 
 

Manufacturer:	ASCIIWare
MSRP:	$24.99 US
Country:	US
Licensed:	Yes
Year:	Unknown

ASCIIPad
A great joypad, with regular fire/turbo/auto switches for A, B, X, Y, L and R buttons, and slow motion. I have one of these, and am very pleased with it. Slightly larger than the regular controller, but
close, and the same shape, so it feels familiar. It looks and feels well build; this pup has been put through plenty of wear and tear, with no sign of any problems. The only drawback is that the cord is shorter than the standard SNES controller, and this can be a problem, depending on how far you play from the console. Otherwise, it is a quality joypad. Highly recommended.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Capcom Fighter Stick
MSRP:	$74.95 US
Country:	US
Licensed:	Yes
Year:	Unknown

Capcom Fighter Stick
This is the most expensive stick I have ever seen, short of a custom arcade stick. This stick is made specially for the Street Fighter II games, but can be used with any SNES game, of course. When you go to play any of the three Street Fighter II games for the SNES (Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II Turbo, and Super Street Fighter II), you can automatically set up the buttons to the original arcade configuration; just go to the Options menu, and move the cursor to "SET", and press one of the buttons. Pretty cool. The stick is shaped like two squares overlapping, with a small triangular space at the bottom edge. On the left hand "square", is the stick, and the select and start buttons. The right hand "square" has the six main buttons. I believe this stick also offers independent turbo/auto fire for all six buttons. Finally, there may have been another version of this stick made, possibly after the release of the second or third Street Fighter II game for the SNES.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Capcom
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	Japan
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

Capcom Soldier Pad
MSRP: ???
Manufacturer: Capcom
Notes: This has to be one of the weirdest shaped controllers I have ever seen. I don't have one, but I can't imagine this pad is too comfortable. It was designed with fighting games in mind (no big shock since Capcom has released another controller designed specifically for its Street Fighter games). This controller was only released in Japan, however, a considerable number were imported to the US; I don't think it wasn't very popular here, a local EB was selling them for $4.99 each :)
 
 

Conqueror 2
This is a joystick which definately falls into the odd category. For one, it isn't strictly a joystick; it is a little larger than the big joypads, and the joystick is much smaller. It is shaped like, well, it is hard to describe. The right hand side of the stick is square, which contours upwards to the upper part of the body, which was a raised circle. The bottom right forms a "rest", looks sort of like a big old sytle Genesis controller, except it has a special rubber pad you rested your wrist. This circle contained the four main buttons (A, B, X, Y), and five buttons around the circumference, which activated programmed moves the user puts in. The whole circle can rotate 270 degrees, for custom feel of the buttons; definately unique. In between the small stick and the circle is 2 columns of three "long pill" shaped buttons, a switch, a series of tiny LED lights, and a twin pair of buttons. These were used to program moves into the stick, to use the turbo/autofire, and the select and start buttons. Right above these buttons was the QuickShot logo, and between the top of the body, the stick and and circle was a circle of four LEDS.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Doc's Hi-Tech
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	No
Year:	Unknown

Doc's Wireless Remote Controllers
These controllers are very similar to the Acclaim Remote Controllers. These controllers, however, use a receiver that does not attach directly to the front of the SNES, rather uses a receiver that plugs into the SNES controller port(s), like the Super Scope 6. Unfortunately, the Doc's ad I have does not show the receiver. The round left and right hemisphere ends have a "fat eight" shaped etching, in which on the one on the left has the directional button, and a slow button, and inside the one on the right is the usual four buttons (A, B, X, Y), and the start button. In between the "eights" is a expert/1p/2p/off switch, and the select button (I don't know what the "expert" mode is). These controllers also feature auto shutoff, battery power comparison and 40 hours of play on 2 "AA" batteries. It should be noted that it does NOT have a turbo fire option. The ad of theirs I have also boasts that these controllers have "Instant reponse, incredible range, slow motion and amazing beam width makes sure your actions get the right reactions". Right. I'm sure these puppies are plagued with all the infamous problems all infared controllers are plagued with. Plus, Doc's has a mixed reputation; there are better wireless controllers out there, like Acclaim's Super Remote Controller. You should probably avoid this controller.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Acclaim
MSRP:	$39.95 US
Country:	US
Licensed:	Yes
Year:	Unknown

Dual Turbo
This controller is the SNES version of the popular wireless NES controller set by Acclaim. The controllers are sold 2 in a set, with a sensor that covers the front of the two SNES controller ports. Each controller takes 4 (I believe) AA batteries. The overall shape and color scheme is almost identical to the standard SNES controllers. The controllers offer the usual aftermarket controller extras, turbo and auto firing for the six regular buttons and slow motion. I don't have these controllers myself, but I would venture to guess they have the same problems all infared wireless controllers have; horrendous battery consumption and sometimes awkward accuracy.
 
 

Fighter Stick SN
This joystick is similar to other "fighter" joysticks available. It offers all the features you would expect; independently adjustable turbo and auto fire for all 6 buttons (36 shots per second, their ad claims), and slow motion. The controller is shaped like a square, with a half circle stuck to the left hand side. The "half circle" has the stick itself, and the "Fighter Stick" logo above it. In between the "half circle" and "square" areas is a button to adjust the speed of the auto fire (I think). The top half of the "sqaure" body has the select and start buttons, plus the controls for the slow motion and turbo fire on/off/auto. The six buttons are in two rows of three, at a 40 degree angle. On the bottom right of the "square" body is a flatter, slightly protruded from the main body, wrist rest, also curved at a 40 degree angle to macth the buttons.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Happ Controls Inc.
MSRP:	$24.99 US
Country:	US
Licensed:	Yes
Year:	Unknown

Happ Competition Pro
There is not much that is noteworthy about this controller, except the fact that it is shaped just like an old style Genesis controller! It has the standard turbo/auto fire for the regular six buttons, and a slow mode function.
 
 

Invader 2
This looks like a neat control pad. It is of the standard SNES joypad design, with independent turbo and auto fire for all 6 buttons, as well as slow motion.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Unknown
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably not
Year:	Unknown

Jetfighter 6 Controller
It looks like a F-115 Stealth Fighter but it's white and really 'fat' compared to the real thing. It's got an on/off switch for the turbo and the cockpit lights up red when you are pressing a button while turbo is on. It's got a slow motion switch, a start button, and a mode/select button. In the middle of the underside is a switch marked GENESIS MD and SUPER NES SFC (Genesis controls are in parenthesis). Now, the really bad part; on the under side of the 'wings' are the L (X) and R (Z) for use with index or middle fingers. Located where the tip of your right thumb rests is the Y (B) green button. At the base of your thumb is the A (Y) red button. Move your thumb left and in the mid of it sits the B (A) yellow button. Right is the X (C) blue button. By the way, the plug in is a Genesis 9-pin and it comes with a 9-pin to SNES 3+4-jack adaptor that doesn't work with other Genesis controllers. I think the odd button placement is partially explaned by the fact that a previous variation of the Jetfighter controller was meant for SNES and Genesis 3-button. It was the same but without the select switch marked (Mode) and the L, A and R buttons weren't marked with (X), (Y) and (Z). But the previous variation is still messed up compared to the standard button arangments of Genesis and SNES.
Thanks to Zerothis zerothis@prodigy.net for the info.
 
 

Manufacturer:	Konami
MSRP:	$40.00 US (?)
Country:	US, Japan
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

Konami Hyperpad Wireless Controller
This controller consists of two parts, the controller itself, which looks much like another other controller, except for the infared transmitter on to upper portion of the body, and a receiver unit, which is like a little infared satellite dish. The satellite receiver is about 8-12" wide, has a large red rectangular sensor in the middle, and "KONAMI" in large print above the sensor. The controller used 2 AAA batteries inthe controller body, and the satellite receiver plugged into either controller port 1 or 2. This controller was released in Japan, and the US I believe (I do not believe it was released in Europe).
 
 

Manufacturer:	Quickshot Patent
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Unknown
Year:	Unknown

Maverick 2B
This controller is a joystick/pad hybrid, as you can see. It may or may not have slow motion, and I don't know about turbo/auto fire (I would assume it does at least to some degree).
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Manufacturer:	Naki
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Unknown
Year:	Unknown

ProPlayer
I don't know anything about this one, I just saw a tiny ad for it in EGM. It is either available for SNES and Genesis, 2 different models, or it can be used with both (with a special cable or something). If you know more, email me and let me know. Beats the heck out of me what all that stuff is on the middle of the joystick body is :)
 
 

Manufacturer:	Quickshot Patent
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

Python 2B
This is another "flight stick" type controller. I don't know if it offers turbo/auto fire and/or slow motion, but I'd assume it does.
 
 
 

Manufacturer:	STD/Interact
MSRP:	$24.99
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

SN Propad
This control pad is similar to most others in its class; it offers turbo/auto fire for the A, B, X, and Y buttons, and has a slow motion feature. It is shaped virtually identical to the standard SNES controller, and has the same layout, except the select button is above the start button, and the turbo switches above them, in a little rectangular area. One cool thing about this joypad, is that it is transparent, somewhat. You can see some of the guts in the pad through the pad. But, that's about it. Nothing new here.
 
 

Super Advantage
The is the SNES version of the popular controller for the NES. Like most aftermarket controllers, this pup has regular fire/turbo/auto for the A, B, X, Y, L, and R, and slow motion. Both the turbo and slow motion is fully adjustable, so you can synchronize it to whatever works best for a particular game. Also, when using slow motion, the stick can prevent any button (other than select and start) from being fired at the split second the game is paused (since some games have functions that preesing one of those buttons may activate, while the game is paused). It is, from what I have heard, a solid joystick choice. If you need a joystick for a fighting game, try this one! What is interesting about this joystick, is that it is distibuted and manufactured by ASCIIWare, not Nintendo, who distributed the original Advantage joystick (manufactured by ASCII) for the NES. Hmmm...
Thanks to Zerothis zerothis@prodigy.net for some of the info.
 
 

Super Jo-Jo/Eliminator
This has to be one of the lamest joysticks I have ever seen. It can be used with both SNES and Genesis via a special cable. The only time I have ever seen this joystick was in a few issues of EGM. It is advertised in one issues on the same page with a cheezy Game Boy knock-off. The controller was originally called "Super Jo-Jo", but later was advertised under the name "Eliminator". I do not know what name the joystick was finally sold under in stores.

The main body of the joystick is back, with the control stick on the right, and the A, B, X and Y buttons on the right of it. In between the stick and main buttons is a small dial, used to control the speed of the turbo fire, I assume; it would also be safe to assume this controller has only one turbo firing mechanism for all of the main buttons. On top of the main body, just above the joystick and buttons, are the L and R buttons, and inbetween these buttons is an elevated bar, with the Select and Start buttons set into it. Just below the stick and main buttons is the turbo fire and slow buttons. Now, here is where the joystick gets weird. The main black body is set into a SNES scheme grey body, which comes around the top of the main body, which is elevated and slopes down, forming two "palm rests" left and right diagonally on the lower part towards the player. The "palm rests" are long, elliptical shaped protrusions, flat, with a lower piece between the two rests, forming a little triangle. The result: a joystick that looks cheap, and poorly engineered. I have no idea whether or not this was licensed by Nintendo, or even finally released onto the market! If anyone knows, let me know.

ASCII Stick
This is a interesting SNES controller. First off, the name is a misnomer; there is no stick on this controller at all! It is a small, round controller that fits in the palm of your hand. On top there is the usual directional control button, and L, R, select and start buttons. The four main buttons are placed on the bottom, all color coded with the turbo control switches on the front side of the unit. The B and Y buttons on the bottom are elevated, and the A and X buttons are normal, so you can tell the buttons apart by touch. This "stick" is great for RPGs if you find a regular controller uncomfortable after long playing sessions; however, this is a very poor choice for action games, where precision feel of the stick is important. Also, this controller was only released in Japan. Definately one of the more clever controllers available.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Manufacturer:	Champ
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

JS-306 Power Pad Tilt
This is another joypad, like the Turbo Touch 360, with a non-traditional directional button. The directional button is round instead of cross shaped, though the four corners on the top of the button are depressed, so as to form a cross shape on top, for a more accurate feel. This allows for true eight directional control. In additional to the usual operation of the controller, it allows for a special "tilt" control; you can hold the pad level with the ground, and rotate it left to right and front to back to move your character. It is good for racing games, but not games where accuracy is important. It should be noted that this controller has a dual setting (slow and fast) turbo fire only, it does not have autofire. The shape of the controller is that of two circles, the size of one of the ends of the standard SNES controller, with a triangle with the base side up, with a smaller circle on the end of the triangle instead of coming to a peak. The start and select buttons are in the middle of the small circle, with the directional button on the circle on the left and the four main buttons (A, B, X, Y) on the right circle, in the usual fashion. The triangle has four levels; the first has the slow motion and the turbo switch for both the L and R buttons, the second has two turbo buttons for the X and A buttons, the third has has two turbo switches for the Y and B buttons, and the fourth level has a switch to turn the tilt on and off.
(Taken from an article in EGM #54)
 

Manufacturer:	Altus
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	Japan
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

Super Gamboy Controller
This controller, as the game suggests, is for use with the Super Game Boy GB-to-SNES adapter, thought it can also be used as a regular SNES controller. I don't believe this controller was released in the US, unfortunately. This nifty little controller resembles, and is shaped like, the lower half of an original Game Boy. It is greyish white, like the original Game Boy, is roughly the same length as the Game Boy across, is about two inches wide, and the corners are rounded, like the bottom of the original style Game Boy.There are even little grooves on the bottom right corner, like the speaker on the Game Boy! Now, you can feel like you are playing a real Game Boy, without the blurry green screen! This controller has six buttons, the two A and B buttons used by the Game Boy, which also coorespend to the A and B buttons when in Super Famicom mode, are right above the "speaker groove", and are colored just like the orginal GB buttons. There are four other buttons, used to activate special SGB macros, and function as their respective buttons when in SFC mode; Mute-L, which mutes the sound, Speed-Y, which is used to change the speed of the game (true slow motion?), Color-R, which is used to change color schemes, and Window-X, which is used to bring up the SGB menus. These buttons are white, to match the controller body, and go across the controllers at a 45 degree angle, above and to the right of the A and B buttons. The select and start buttons are slightly below and to the right of the directional control on the left hand side. Above the select and start buttons, in the center of the pad, is a switch that allows you to switch between SFC and SGB modes. The Super Game Boy logo is placed above the SFC/SGB switch. I have no idea how the macros work; I didn't even think it was possible to switch between color schemes without bringing up the SGB's menus and changing them manually. But, if they do work, this controller is simply amazing, and a definate must have! The only drawback to this controller, is that there is no turbo fire capability, which means you can't have true turbo fire, something that you can have if you use any turbo fire SNES controller instead. Otherwise, this is a great controller; I only wish I could get my hands on one!
 
 

Turbo Touch 360
This control pad has a special directional control button; unlike other control pads with a raised directional control button, theirs is completely round, and the top is below the surface of the controller body. This, according the their ads, "eliminates 'numb thumb', has quick response, better control, true circular, easy diagonal and longer play and higher scores, guaranteed". It also has turbo fire on/off for the A, B, X and Y buttons. An original idea in controllers; effective, I can't say myself, but nevertheless, original.

Fatal Fury 2 Commander
This controller was only released in Japan, and I would venture to guess one of the rarer controllers. It is made to be used with Fatal Fury 2 for the Super Famicom. It has all the moves for the Fatal Fury 2 characters programmed in, so you can execute them with the push of one button, and you can program in your own moves for other games. It looks just like a standard SNES controller, except it is wider horozontally in the middle, it is black with purple lettering and the Japanese "Fatal Fury 2" logo on the middle, and "HORI" above the logo. It also has a three position switch, between the directional button and the select button, presumably used to program the joystick (the text on the switch is in Japanese).
(Taken from an article in EGM #54)
 
 

Gamemaster
This is an odd-shaped, programmable joypad. It is black with white trim along the outline of the top of the controller. The controller has the usual button scheme, except the Start and Select buttons, with a "P" button, blueish green (for executing the move you program into it) to the left of the Y and B buttons. The directional controller and the B and A buttons are purple, and the Y and X buttons are greyish blue. There are three buttons along the top of the joypad to the left; accel, repeat, and auto, all the same color as the P button, used to program a move into the joypad. On the upper right of the joypad are the Select and Start buttons, the same color as the X and Y buttons. Next to them is the program-save switch, a dark green color similar to the P button, used to program a move into the joypad. It has the usual basic shape of a SNES joypad, but instead of the usual curves, they are a slightly rounded square shape. Finally, in the middle of the joypad, is the yellow and purple "Triton Toys" triangle shaped logo. As far as I know, only one move can be programmed into the pad, which would make it much less effective for fighting games, as opposed to other programmable controllers which can store many more.
 

Manufacturer:	Doc's Hi-Tech
MSRP:	$49.95 US controller, $13 US cartridges
Country:	US
Licensed:	No
Year:	Unknown

Radical FX
This joypad is rather interesting, because it takes the concept of a programmable controller and adds something new. You can obtain small ROM cartridges with moves programmed for a vartiety of the most popular SNES games, like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter II and TMNT Tournament Fighters, that plug into the joypad. Also, you can buy 256k RAM cartridges for programming your own moves. When you bought one of these joypads from Doc's, you got 2 cartridges of your choice free. The joypad itself looks similat to most other joypads, with the exception of a LCD display which you use to select which moves to use or program in, small buttons used to program in moves, and long curved buttons around the hemisphere with the A, B, X, and Y buttons, which are used to activate the programmed moves. Also, the select and start buttons are small buttons, just like the buttons used to program in moves. The "Radical FX" logo is above the LCD screen, and the joypad was available in white and black. It also has a single turbo fire option, but no auto fire. All in all, a great idea for a controller, even if it is a little pricy compared to the competition.
 
 

Manufacturer:	STD
MSRP:	$29.95
Country:	US
Licensed:	Probably
Year:	Unknown

SN ProgramPad
This is definately one of the most popular programmable controllers, and for that matter, one of the most popular controllers, period. Many of these boys have been sold, and it is definately a quality product. In addition to having 29 preprogrammed moves for Street Fighter II and Fatal Fury, you can porgram in your own. Also, this controller has independent turbo and auto fire for each button, and slow motion. Another feature of the controller allows you to "mirror" the moves, so you can use the programmed moves regardless of whether your charcatre is on the right or left hand side of the screen. The body of this controller is transparent, like the SN Propad. The shape and layout of the pad is similar to the standard SNES controller, except for three curved buttons around the right hand hemisphere of the controller, and a greenish grey area with a LCD panel and related buttons for programming in moves, just above the start and select buttons. The LCD panel shows the settings for the controller, and the related buttons are used to set the slow motion, turbo and auto fire, and to select programmed moves, and to program your moves in. All in all, a great controller, and a definate must have for fighting game fans who don't mind using a joypad! Highly recommended.
 
 

CYBERPad
This joypad is one of many programmable controllers available. It is also among the oddest shaped. The body is shaped into a fat "6" on its side, with the "tail" of the 6 facing the player. The tail of the 6 shaped body holds a switch and two buttons, which, I assume, are for programming moves into the joypad. Above the directional button are the select and start buttons, which are wider and shallower than those on a standard controller, and are labeled "start" and "select" on the buttons themselves. The main buttons (X, Y, A, B) are in about their usual location on most joypads, but with an additional button, used, I assume, to execute programmed moves.The L and R buttons are in their standard location, on the far side of the pad. This controller boasts 256 bits of memory for programmed moves, using a CMOS microcontroller. The programmed moves are saved, even when the power to the SNES deck is turned off. You can also switch button siignments on the pad, something which few controller offer! It also has the usual turbo fire (27 shots per second, as the ad claims), and slow motion. Like many SNES controllers, there is also a version available for the Genesis.

Manufacturer:	KBM
MSRP:	Unknown
Country:	US
Licensed:	No
Year:	Unknown

Arcadian/Championship Joystick
This joystick has been sold under the name "Arcadian" and "Championship Joystick" (the Championship is shown above), they look identical and I do not believe there is any difference inside. This is the most plain looking of the arcade joysticks I have seen. The stick is a cube, it does not have a slanted surface like most, and has a black surface with dark blue sides. The joystick is also smaller than most; it is just over a foot and a half long, and a foot wide. It has a stick, which, instead of a ball at the end, has a simple grip over the metal. The buttons are arranged in two rows of three, like almost all other joysticks. The buttons in the columns are, from left to right, red, white and blue (nice and patriotic). On the surface of the stick, the eight stick directions are labled with blue arrows. Lastly, in the bottom right hand corner, is "The Arcadian" or "Championship Joystick" logo. Turbo/auto fire may be available; there is also a special cable to use the SNES version of the joystick with the old 8 bit Nintendo. Not as impressive as the other arcade joysticks appearance-wise, but it just may be cheaper. Contact KBM, 15980 Chaney Thompson Road, Huntsville, AL 35803, phone 1-800 264-8728, fax (205) 880-2007.
 
 

Fire Stick
This arcade quality joystick is a single player stick, with a single turbo fire option (I think). The stick surface is white, with the stick and the A, B, X, Y, L and R buttons in the middle, the select and start buttons and a switch (the turbo switch I assume) just above, and the "Fire Stick" logo just below. The sides of the stick are black, and the body inclines up slightly towards the far end, like many arcade control consoles. You can only get this stick from the manufacturer. Contact G & C Joysick Manufacturing, P.O. Box 848, Paramount, CA 90723, phone 1-800-JOYSTICK.
 
 

Superstick
There are several incantations of the Superstick, though there are only four distinct versions I have seen; one player versions with and without turbo fire, and a two player version with and without turbo fire. The one player version is just like other sticks available, with a single stick and the SNES controller button. The two player version is longer, with twin sets of sticks/buttons, for two player simultaneous use. The appearance of these joysticks are varies, as they can do custom design work on them, as well as there are various decals available, such as the Mortal Kombat logos. The usual size and shape of the joysticks, for the single player model, is 2 1/2 feet long by 1 1/2 feet wide, and a 1 inch high base rising to a 3 inch base at the far end. The stick surface is rectangular, except of for the far surface edge, which rises slightly from the left to a plateau, the rises down again to the right edge, like the top of a shallow octagon. The stick is in the middle, on the left of the buttons, which are arranged in two rows of three buttons (A, B, Y, Y, L and R), with the select and start buttons just above; this setup is just like the Fire Stick. The two player version has the same layout, except it is four feet long to accomodate the extra stick and buttons. These joysicks, as you can see, are pretty expensive, so you better really want one. Other versions of the Superstick for other systems are also available. You can only get these sticks from the manufacturer; contact Japan Video Games, 710 W. Las Tunas, #1, San Gabriel, CA 91776, phone (818) 281-9282, fax (818) 451-5839.

Know of a controller I don't? Email me.

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